Philippines wind farm generates power, jobs and curious tourists

PILILLA, Rizal, Philippines: Wind
turbines are helping the Philippines diversify its energy sources beyond fossil
fuels and generating not only power, but jobs, revenue and interest among
thousands of curious tourists.

On the hills of Rizal province east
of the capital Manila, 340,000 visitors have hit the viewing deck of Pililla
town's wind farm since it opened to the public last year, photographing and
marvelling at its 27 white wind turbines that stand 125 metres (410 feet) high
on a 4,500-hectare site.

Wind power is slowly taking off in
the Philippines, which faces a huge challenge to find cheaper, cleaner and more
efficient ways to power what is one of the world's fastest growing economies
and a swelling population of over 100 million people.

It's proving a draw for this
province and supporting livelihoods too, with 300 people working at the farm
and a further 45 making wooden souvenirs of mini turbines the size of hand-held
fans.

"A lot of people can see the
beauty of the Philippines," said tourist Christian Lagaja. "Here, the
air is fresh and people are benefiting from the electricity it generates."

Wind energy is a work in progress
and farms like this produce only a fraction of the country's installed capacity
of 20,055 megawatts, which the energy minister recently said needs to double by
2030 to meet demand.

Power in the Philippines at present
is generated 34 percent by coal, 34 percent by oil and gas and 32 percent from
renewable sources, among them wind, biomass, hydropower and solar.